Your guide to watching Best Picture Oscar-nominee Nickel Boys, including details of where the movie will stream first.
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Nickel Boys will be available on this streaming platform first
When Calls the Heart Season 12 hid a secret pregnancy for one major character
If you think a character is pregnant in When Calls the Heart Season 12, you’re half right. There’s a secret baby, but they shouldn’t be there.
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eBay is selling a 2 bedroom granny annexe that fits perfectly at the back of your garden – it’s damp proof & costs £750
JUMPING onto the housing ladder isn’t the easiest of processes.
You might think you’ve managed to save enough money, only to sit down with your mortgage adviser and realise you’re back at square one.
This could explain why living arrangements are evolving, as people adapt to new ways of living.
In an era where families are seeking flexible, multi-generational living solutions, granny annexes are emerging as an ideal option.
These self-contained spaces, either attached to or separate from the main house, provide a stylish and practical way to keep loved ones close while preserving independence.
And now, eBay is making this option more accessible than ever.
Currently listed on the platform is a two-bedroom granny annexe that fits perfectly at the back of your garden.
Designed with the unpredictable British weather in mind, the annexe is damp-proof and features double glazing.
Even better, it’s priced at just £750 per square metre.
The eBay seller describes the building as “perfect” for those looking to create a “luxury cabin, annexe, or mobile home.”
The kit includes all the essentials to ensure your project is energy-efficient, helping to reduce energy bills in the long run.
Measuring 12 metres in length by 5 metres in width, with an internal ceiling height of approximately 2.3 to 2.4 metres, the annexe can be customised to suit your specific needs.
Boasting thick insulation to minimise heat loss and designed to withstand various climates, the granny annexe combines practicality with durability.
It arrives prefabricated and ready to assemble, which significantly speeds up the construction process, and even includes a matching floor.
The structure is designed to be installed on a concrete base, which is not included in the kit, although the seller offers quotes for this as an additional service.
At £750 per square metre, the total cost for this kit is £45,000, with delivery included.
For those opting for a supply-and-fit service, the price rises to £67,500.
The seller has received 100% positive feedback so far, with one satisfied customer commenting: “Well he did offer to meet me halfway to collect which was a nice gesture.
“The great seller will use him again.
“The parcel was well packaged and he posted it very quickly.”
“Certainly a very good seller, the product arrived in good condition.”
With its affordability, practicality, and energy-saving features, this granny annexe offers a modern solution to multi-generational living, proving that adapting to changing circumstances doesn’t mean compromising on style or comfort.
Why I could never live in a tiny home
Tiny homes are getting increasingly popular in the UK, especially in the cost of living crisis when first-time buyers are struggling to get on the property ladder or current homeowners are having to pay ridiculous interest rates on mortgages.
But Rebecca Miller, Fabulous’ Associate Editor, has shared why living in a tiny home would be her idea of a nightmare.
“I’m currently in the process of selling my flat and buying a house, and as I pack up all my belongings, I’m worried where it is all going to go – there is so much stuff!
Fortunately, I’m very privileged to be buying a house with more square feet than my current flat.
But it got me wondering, could I ever live in a small space? And the answer is no.
- Less personal space
Living with another person immediately cuts down on personal space, but remove several rooms, and I’d be left with only the bathroom as my sanctuary. I’m not sure I’d be able to cope!
- Less storage space
I’m like a magpie, I like collecting pretty things, and I like my belongings to be organised. With limited storage space, I’d find it really hard to keep everything neat and tidy.
- Can’t play host
One of the joys of being an independent adult is being able to host – friends, family, overnight stays, and dinner parties. Where would I gather everyone for a Sunday lunch if my table only sat two? Not to mention, how would I cook a Sunday lunch?
- No room to grow
Both as an individual, as part of a couple and also my hobbies, can be restricted by physical space. When I first moved into my flat, I was overjoyed at having my own balcony, and it has been a space where my love for gardening has grown. Five years on, my balcony is now overflowing with plants, and I’ve had to set up a mini propagator in the living room!
All planets in our solar system align this week in super rare ‘planetary parade’ that you won’t see again until 2040
A RARE planetary parade is to emerge in the night sky this week for the last time until 2040.
Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune, Saturn and Mercury will be strung across the sky in an arc shape on 28 February.
The moment will be short, lasting until roughly 6:30pm GMT / EST in the UK and the US – which is when Jupiter will fall below the horizon.
Stargazers will have to wait 15 years for the next alignment involving seven planets.
Only five planets, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus and Mercury, will be visible to the naked eye.
Uranus and Neptune are simply too far away from Earth, and therefore require a telescope or binoculars to view them.
While they will mostly look like larger, twinkling stars – you will be able to set Venus and Mars apart from the rest.
Venus will be the brightest in the sky, shining twice as bright as the North Star, Polaris.
Venus, Jupiter and Saturn will appear as bright-white points of light.
While Mars has a distinct orange glow.
Alignments of four or five planets are not uncommon, as their orbits bring them to the same side of the Sun as the Earth.
But it’s remarkably rare for six, or even seven, planets to align.
How to view ‘planet parade’
The best time to witness the celestial phenomena is just after sunset.
Mars will appear in the eastern sky.
Jupiter and Uranus will be visible in the southeast.
While Venus, Neptune and Saturn will appear in the west.
While binoculars or telescopes can give a detailed view of the planets, they can also limit the portion of the sky you can see.
Jupiter is scheduled to set at roughly 6:30pm GMT / EST in the UK and the US.
Mercury’s placement will also be low on the horizon, meaning it will dip out of visibility at about 7pm GMT / EST.
What causes the alignment?
Planets are constantly moving, which means their paths occasionally cross into an alignment in Earth's sky.
Dr Dan Brown, an astronomy expert here at Nottingham Trent University, explained to The Sun: “All planets including Earth move in more or less the same plane in our solar system.
“So that from our perspective the planets are always very close to the apparent path of the Sun in the sky also known as the ecliptic.
“This means they will always be along this line.
“You could compare it with cars on a straight road.
“Since they can only drive on the road they will always be found along the road in more or less a line.
“What varies is how close they are to each other and when we can see them.”
Common medication taken by millions ‘accelerates deadly dementia’, study warns
A COMMON medication taken by millions of Brits may accelerate dementia.
But experts cautioned it could be the condition itself that is linked to worsening memory.
The study looked at the health data of 18,740 patients with an average age of 78 years who were recently diagnosed with dementia.
Approximately 23 per cent were treated with antidepressants.
During the course of the study, a total of 11,912 prescriptions of antidepressants were registered.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) accounted for 65 per cent of the prescriptions.
Using standard cognitive tests, the study found higher doses of SSRIs were associated with a sharper decline in cognitive scores over an average follow-up of 4.3 years, and more severe dementia symptoms, according to the research published in BMC Medicine.
Men taking antidepressants appeared to experience faster cognitive decline than women, the Karolinska Institute study found.
But another class of antidepressants, serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), did not appear to have the same effect.
The SSRI escitalopram appeared to accelerate cognitive decline fastest, followed by the SSRIs citalopram and sertraline.
Mirtazapine had less negative cognitive impact.
Antidepressants can often be prescribed to people with the dementia to help ease specific symptoms, such as depression, anxiety or sleep issues.
Dr Richard Oakley, associate director for research and innovation at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “[The study] did not rule out the possibility that the changes were due to the presence of depression rather than antidepressant use, so further research is needed to understand the effects of antidepressants.”
Prof Tara Spires-Jones, director of the centre for discovery brain sciences at the University of Edinburgh, who was not involved in the research, said: “People who needed antidepressants may have had more aggressive disease or the depression itself could have been affecting disease progression.”
The researchers, led by Sara Garcia-Ptacek, said future studies will help clarify their results.
Almost nine million Brits take antidepressants.
An estimated 8.7 million identified patients received an antidepressant drug item in 2023/24.
A previous study published in the British Medical Journal in 2018 found a similar link.
Researchers examined GP records of over 40,000 people aged 65 and older with dementia and nearly 300,000 without.
The results showed that those who had taken the drugs four to 20 years earlier were more likely to be diagnosed with dementia.
The potential side effects of 'happy pills'
Antidepressants can be highly effective in treating depression and other mental health conditions, but like all medications, they may cause side effects.
Below is a generalised list of potential side effects:
- Nausea or upset stomach
- Drowsiness or insomnia
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Weight changes (gain or loss)
- Increased sweating
- Constipation or diarrhoea
- Sexual dysfunction (e.g., reduced libido, difficulty achieving orgasm, erectile dysfunction)
- Feeling anxious, restless, or agitated, especially when starting treatment
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue or low energy
- Changes in appetite
- Increased blood pressure (for some medications)
- Risk of withdrawal symptoms if stopped abruptly (e.g., dizziness, irritability, flu-like symptoms)
- Rare but serious side effects, such as serotonin syndrome (caused by excessive serotonin levels, leading to confusion, rapid heart rate, and muscle stiffness)
In young people (under 25), antidepressants may temporarily increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviour, especially during the early stages of treatment.
Older adults may also be at risk of low sodium levels (hyponatraemia) with certain antidepressants.
Not everyone will experience side effects, and for many, the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks.
If side effects occur, they are often mild and improve as the body adjusts to the medication. However, severe or persistent side effects should be reported to a doctor.
Never stop taking antidepressants suddenly without consulting a healthcare professional.
MAFS’ Amy Kenyon sparks romance rumours with another reality show star after flirting with Adam Nightingale at reunion
MARRIED At First Sight’s Amy Kenyon was unlucky in love when it came to the E4 reality show, but has she had better luck elsewhere?
Fans of the stunning reality star noticed that she was exchanging in flirty banter with Love Is Blind UK’s Freddie Powell.
Ahead of the episode airing, Amy posted a reflective statement about her time on MAFS, saying: “Reflecting on this journey, I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to put myself out there in search of my perfect person. While I may not have found the one, I’ve met some incredible people who will forever stay in my heart 
“This experience has taught me resilience, confidence, and the importance of staying true to myself and I’ve finally learnt to stop worrying about the opinions of others.
“Now, it’s time to close this chapter and look ahead to the future… who knows, maybe by 2035, I’ll have found my person 
”
Freddie responded: “Go on then 
” prompting her to respond: “@freddieppowell 
”
The comment didn’t go unnoticed by fans, with one writing: “yous two would make a smashing couple 
”
The comment comes after fans begged Amy sparked romance rumours with Adam Nightingale.
After the cameras stopped rolling fans noticed the appeared to be very close, and earlier this year they enjoyed a romantic cruise holiday together.
In last night’s reunion episode they were asked about their relationship status by the other former brides and grooms, with Adam replying: “There’s been no kissing… so far.”
Speaking in a confessional with Adam, Amy said: “I’m not sure what the future holds for me and Adam. I don’t think the book is fully closed.”
But her jaw dropped when Adam replied: “Maybe some little mini Adams could be on the cards… or maybe we could just practice.”
Freddie previously tried to find love on Netflix series Love Is Blind UK, with the star even getting engaged sight unseen with Cat Richards.
However, while they initially seemed to get on well, cracks quickly started to form when he confessed to previously being unfaithful in a relationship, with Cat believing “a tiger doesn’t change its spots”.
As time went on and things got more strained, the duo were seen in arguments as they struggled to meet eye-to-eye, with Freddie having family obligations keeping him near his home.
Eventually, at the wedding, Freddie said no to Cat at the altar in front of their family and friends.
While it was sad, Cat quickly moved on and has now been in an 18-month relationship with Jake, another man she met in the pods.
But fan favourite Freddie has seemingly remained single.
Married At First Sight: The Reunion is available now on Channel 4 on Demand.
Who are the Beale and Fowler families on EastEnders and where are they now?
THE Beales and Fowlers have been Albert Square legends for over three decades.
But with all the drama in EastEnders, it’s easy to lose track of who’s still a member of the soap’s most iconic families. Here’s everything you need to know.
The Beale family
Lou Beale
Lou Beale was the matriarch of the Beale family – and allegedly the first character ever created for the needs of the BBC One soap.
A long-time resident of Albert Square, Lou moved there in 1935 alongside her husband, ironically named Albert Beale, who only appeared in the Civvy Street spin-off.
Lou was portrayed by actress Anna Wing and was killed off three years after the London-based drama was first aired.
Anna threw in the towel after she reportedly expressed disapproval at the direction her character was taking.
The actress passed away on July 7, 2013, at the age of 98.
Pete Beale
Pete, the son of Lou and Albert played by Peter Dean, inherited his father’s food and veg stand.
Against his mothers’ wishes, Pete married a prostitute named Pat, at the young age of sixteen after believing she had fallen pregnant.
Pat (EastEnders legend Pam St. Clement) eventually told Pete she had lost the baby, but the pair remained married and went on to have two children together, Simon and David.
However, Pete believed his youngest was not really his and the marriage eventually fell apart.
Not long after, in 1993, Pete was killed in a car accident.
Pat later joined the Butcher family and went on to live a drama-packed life in Albert Square until her death from pancreatic cancer in 2012.
Kenny Beale
Kenny Beale is another child of Lou and Albert, who was banished from Albert Square in 1965 after having an affair with his brother Pete’s first wife, Pat.
However, he returned in 1988 from his new home in New Zealand with his teenage daughter, Elizabeth, in tow.
Not long after his return, Kenny decided to leave again, despite believing that he could be the father of Simon Wicks, Pat’s son.
Kathy Beale
Kathy Hills, portrayed by Gillian Taylforth since day one, married into the Beale family after getting together with Pete following his split from first wife Pat.
The pair married in 1968 and had a son, Ian, but called it quits after 21 years when Kathy was raped by another man.
Kathy remained in Walford and her character regularly appeared on the show until 2000.
In 2015, she returned to the show on a permanent basis after a fifteen year hiatus.
Following her first marriage to Pete, she tied the knot with Phil Mitchell, which led to the birth of her son Ben Mitchell, and Gavin Sullivan.
Her rape by Marcus Duffy also resulted in the birth of a daughter, Donna, who she gave up for adoption.
Donna Ludlow tragically died from a heroin overdose in 1989 after being rejected by Kathy.
Ian Beale
Ian Beale is the son of Kathy and Pete Beale, who made his first appearance on the show in February 1985 and was a regular on the program.
Despite starting out as a simple food stall worker, Ian becomes arrogant and smug after finding success as a businessman – leading to a feud with Phil Mitchell.
Ian has also been married five times on the show and has five kids – three biological, and two which he adopted.
One of his marriages ended on a very sour note when he found out that Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) had been trying to poison him for his part in her son’s death.
Ian ran away from Albert Square in early 2021 but reappeared in December, 2022, just in time for Dot Branning’s funeral.
Could Adam Woodyatt reprise his role again?
Cindy Beale
Cindy was a newcomer to Albert Square in 1988.
She married Ian in 1989 and let him believe that he was the biological father of Steven Beale, who she gave birth to in the same year and who Ian adopted.
Despite a brief split due to Steven’s paternity being revealed, the pair reconciled and Cindy gave birth to twins, Peter and Lucy, in 1993.
The union imploded again and Cindy tried to have a hit taken out on her ex-husband.
Cindy was believed to have died in prison in 1998, while giving birth to Nick’s baby, Cindy Williams Jr.
Ian took on the role of father figure for the young Cindy and she left Walford alongside Liam Butcher.
But in June 2023, Cindy came back from the dead — or at least she returned to the show and revealed that she’d faked her own death and had been hiding out in the witness protection programme.
Cindy entered witness protection in 1998 after testifying against her former cellmate, the gangster Jackie Ford, to protect herself and her family.
As of February 2025, she is still on the show — in a dramatic turn of events she accidentally shot Ian Beale in the arm during the live 40th-anniversary episode.
David Wicks
The iconic character of David Wicks is Ian Beale’s half brother.
He was adopted by his mother Pat’s second husband Brian Wicks from a young age.
David carried the Wicks surname ever since despite his real father being Pete Beale.
David’s first appearance in EastEnders was at the end of 1993 when he arrived in Albert Square for his father Pete Beale’s funeral.
However, David returned to Albert Square in 1993 for the funeral of his estranged father and – unannounced – turns up on his mother Pat’s doorstep, who it’s revealed he also lost contact with at 17.
When an old fling, Carol Jackson, moves to the square, David grows increasingly close to her daughter Bianca until Carol admits that David is actually Bianca’s father – a fact he is forced to confess when she drunkenly tries to kiss him.
David was the father of Bianca Jackson but also had a daughter named Karen and a son, Joe.
He left the Square to live in the United States following a heart attack in 2014.
After a decade, French reprised his role for a short stint in October 2024, but left the Square a week later.
Steven Beale
Steven Beale is the biological son of Simon Wicks, Pat Beale’s second child, and the adopted son of Ian Beale.
Steven initially left the show to find his real father in New Zealand after Ian confessed to him that he’s not his biological dad.
However, Steven returned in 2007 and stalked Ian by pretending to be his late wife, Cindy, before eventually taking him hostage due to his bitterness over his paternity.
Despite being forced to leave again in 2008, Steven returned in 2015 and tried to mend his relationship with Ian.
He then died from a cardiac arrest a year later.
Peter Beale
Peter is the son of Ian Beale and his late wife Cindy and is born on the very same day his namesake grandfather Pete died in 1993.
In 1996, his mom Cindy fled the Square with him and half-brother Steven Beale after failing to have Ian killed by a hitman – however, Ian eventually found both boys in Italy and took them back with him to Albert Square.
After Cindy died in prison in 1998, Peter and his twin sister Lucy were raised by a series of step-mothers and their father Ian, but Peter suffered a great deal with jealousy towards his sister.
Peter eventually moved to New Zealand but returned in 2020 after he learned Bobby, who murdered their sister Lucy, had been injured in a racially motivated attack.
The hunk was portrayed by a series of different actors throughout his time on our screens with the latest being Dayle Hudson who left the soap in 2022.
Lucy Beale
Lucy was Peter’s twin sister and – despite initially being a good student – gradually became more and more rebellious as she got older.
She eventually started using drugs and became involved in a series of flings before being tragically murdered in 2014.
A year later, it was revealed that she was bludgeoned to death by Bobby Beale, her half-brother, who was a minor at the time.
Bobby Beale
Bobby Beale is the younger half brother of Peter and Lucy, and the son of Ian Beale and Laura Dunn.
Bobby was revealed to have murdered his sister Lucy in 2015 with a jewellrey box but has since been somewhat redeemed following his release from prison.
In 2020, Bobby converted to Islam and fell victim to a hate crime.
He returned to Albert Square soon after being released from prison and has been staying out of trouble ever since.
EastEnders facts and figures
THE beloved British soap has been captivating audiences for decades.
EastEnders follows the lives of the residents of Walford as they navigate love, loss, family drama, and community struggles.
Here’s the latest on:
- EastEnders spoilers
- New, leaving and returning cast members
- Where is EastEnders filmed and can you visit the set?
- Inside EastEnders abandoned original set
- The history of EastEnders iconic pub The Queen Victoria
- The biggest ever ‘duff duff’ moments
- Longest serving cast members
- Shocking Albert Square serial killers
- The soap’s most iconic episodes
The Fowler family
Pauline Fowler
Pauline Fowler, née Beale, was the daughter of Lou and Albert Beale and the twin sister of Pete Beale.
Portrayed by Wendy Richard on the show, Pauline is the mother of Mark, Michelle and Martin Fowler.
She became depressed after the death of her husband Arthur Fowler but thought she’d found new love with Joe Macer, her second husband, who murdered her on Christmas Day 2005.
Joe hit her over the head with a frying pan.
Actress Wendy Richard passed away in 2009.
Arthur Fowler
The late Bill Treacher portrayed Arthur Fowler for 11 years on the soap – and was the first person to be cast for the show.
Fans will likely have spotted Bill in a variety of drama’s including ITV police drama The Bill and medical series Casualty.
Aside from his TV career, the star has had success in the film industry, appearing in George and the Dragon and Tale of the Mummy.
Green-thumbed Arthur worked in the local allotment, which he used as an escape from his nagging wife and mother-in-law, and had a steady stream of multiple jobs throughout the decades.
But after being conned by Willy Roper, Arthur was sent to prison for a crime he didn’t commit.
Arthur succumbed to an injury he sustained from a prison riot, soon after he was released and allowed to return home.
Mark Fowler
Mark’s role was played by two different actors – but it was David Scarboro who first joined the cast in 1985.
The troubled actor was at the heart of a number of scandals, and departed the soap after refusing to partake in a racist storyline.
Rumours swelled that the actor had been fired from the show after being uncooperative on the set and turning up late.
The actor sued many major news outlets for libel following his departure from EastEnders, before he sought help from a psychiatric unit.
David’s life was tragically cut short after his EastEnders fame when he was found dead in East Sussex in 1988, aged just 20 years old.
Todd Carty took over the role after the tragic death, and became a firm fan favourite for his 13 years on the soap.
Mark was one of the original 23 characters created for the soap.
Initially a delinquent teenager, Mark became a changed man when he returned to Albert Square as a 22-year-old in 1990.
He was featured in some of the most prominent storylines during his tenure on the soap and announced he had been diagnosed HIV positive.
This forced him to grow up fast and accept his responsibilities but he frequently found it difficult to accept the restrictions of the illness.
Mark died from the illness in 2004, shortly after leaving the Square.
Mark Fowler Jr.
Mark actor Ned Porteous shot onto screens in 2016 for a short period before he quit the soap and moved over to ITV show Emmerdale for a two-year contract.
The actor has had many fans convinced he may return to Albert Square after his character walked away in tense scenes back in 2017.
Fans might recognise Ned, 27, from his starring role in Netflix drama Bridgerton, where he played Lord Wetherby.
Mark Jr. is the son of Grant Mitchell and Michelle Fowler and was born off-screen in 1996.
He appeared in 13 episodes of the long-running program in 2016 and has been said to be living in Australia.
Michelle Fowler
Michelle was played by actress Susan Tully, who appeared in the first ever episode of the soap back in 1985.
The single mum departed a decade later to pursue a career as a producer and director working on ITV projects.
When Susan left the soap, Michelle’s role was taken over by Jenna Russell.
The daughter of Pauline and Arthur Fowler, Michelle was introduced as a typical teen but she fell pregnant at the age of 16.
The father was revealed to be her pal Sharon Watts’ adoptive father, Den.
She gave birth to a daughter named Vicki, and moved in with barman Lofty Holloway who pestered her about adopting Vicki as his own.
The couple divorced soon after Michelle went through an abortion funded by Den and she went on to live with Sharon Watts.
Michelle graduated from university with a Bachelor of Arts and, although she never liked Sharon’s ex-husband Grant Mitchell, she had a one night stand with him.
She emigrated to Alabama, where she married a man named Tim off-screen.
Michelle came back to Walford in 2016 and left two years later.
Martin Fowler
Martin, the youngest son of Arthur and Pauline Fowler, was played by actor James Alexandrou for more than 12 years before he left the show to chase other acting opportunities.
His character had a number of dramatic storylines, including affairs, underage pregnancies and even murder.
He left his role in 2007, going on to present BBC Three show Bizarre Crime and star in Silent Witness.
James Bye took over from the original actor, joining the cast in 2014.
During the live 40th-anniversary episode on February 20, 2025, Martin was crushed to death trying to save Stacey Slater from an explosion at the Queen Vic.
Vicki Fowler
Vicki, the daughter of Michelle Fowler and Den Watts, was portrayed by a number of stars throughout the character’s lifespan – and most recently by Scarlett Johnson.
The 38-year-old has been spotted in a number of other TV shows, including BBC Three comedy Pramface until 2014.
After leaving EastEnders, she returned to screens in 2008 in drama Adulthood, where she played iconic young character Lexi.
In Walford, Scarlett was seen as Vicki in 2003, when her character ran away from home after an argument with her mother Michelle.
She stayed in the Square for a year, getting involved in plenty of explosive storylines.
But when she overheard Den tell Sharon he didn’t love Vicki as much as he loved her, the teen decided to leave Walford and go back to her mother.
She hasn’t been seen since 2004.
Bex Fowler
Bex is the daughter of Martin Fowler and Sonia Jackson.
Actress Jade Sharif took on the role of Bex back in 2005, where she was a part of the cast for a two-year period.
Jade quit acting shortly after in order to focus on her studies, and was replaced by Jasmine Armfield.
Bex was adopted by the Millers but she returned to Sonia in the early noughties.
After going through a rebellious stage, she left Albert Square in 2020 and has been travelling ever since.
Meanwhile, EastEnders airs from Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.
Nato scrambles warplanes as Putin’s nuke-capable bombers hit Ukraine & US B52 flies along Russian border in sky showdown
NATO forces have been forced to scramble their warplanes in Poland after Vladimir Putin used nuclear-capable bombers to attack Ukraine.
Russia used a set of Tu-95MS’ to cause panic in Kyiv as residents were forced to rush to the metro underground shelters for safety.
The strikes came despite Putin insisting he wanted peace with Ukraine “as soon as possible” as Moscow continue to speak with Washington over a truce deal.
Terrifying overhead explosions were heard in several Ukrainian regions including Kyiv, Zhytomyr, and Sumy and Cherkasy.
Drones were also used by Russia with several people being left wounded in the blasts.
Warsaw’s armed forces operation command headquarters said: “Attention, due to the activity of long-range aviation of the Russian Federation, striking targets located, in particular, in the west of Ukraine, military aviation has begun to operate in the airspace of Poland.”
Ground-based air defences and radar reconnaissance systems were also “put on alert”.
The Nato action was purely a defensive move amid fears Russia was unleashing missiles close to the Polish border.
At least two Tu-95MS bombers were reported taking off from Olenya air base in the Arctic.
Dominik Szoboszlai six times less popular than Luis Diaz in Dream Team despite superior form for champions elect
LIVERPOOL have become Premier League champions elect after victory over Manchester City on Sunday.
The Reds’ 2-0 win at the Etihad, coupled with Arsenal’s defeat to West Ham, has made them overwhelming favourites to lift the trophy come May.
Mohamed Salah (£8.3m) was once again the star of the show against Pep Guardiola’s side as he scored one goal and assisted another for a 16-point return – only Alexander Isak (£6m) earned more points over the weekend among all Dream Team assets.
But Dominik Szoboszlai (£4.3m) deserves his time in the spotlight too having also scored and assisted in Manchester.
The Hungary international banked 13 points for his efforts to continue his fine form of late.
He has notched 59 points in his last seven outings via three goals and two assists.
What’s interesting is that Szoboszlai features in just 6.2% of teams at the time of writing, a relatively low ownership for an in-form starter for the best team in the land.
For comparison, Luis Diaz (£3.5m) appears in 38.8% of teams, making him the fourth-most popular player in the game, despite his dwindling returns since the turn of the year.
The Colombian winger has mustered just 26 points from his last seven appearances, 33 fewer than Szoboszlai.
Widening the lens, Diaz has produced 44 points in 13 games this calendar year, which works out at an average of 3.4 per fixture.
These stats are not befitting a player who features in well over a third of all teams.
Dream Team bosses who want a Liverpool midfielder, an understandable inclination, should certainly consider pivoting from Diaz to Szoboszlai.
Arne Slot’s side are due to host Newcastle at Anfield on Wednesday night and the outlook would change again if the Reds’ No8 picked up an injury or Diaz produced a decisive performance – both feasible possibilities.
Either way, any transfers made this week wouldn’t come into effect until Gameweek 26, when Liverpool’s only fixture is a trip to PSG in the Champions League round of 16.
The Ligue 1 leaders have won 13 of their 14 games in all competitions and made a statement in their European play-off with a 10-0 aggregate triumph over Brest.
Gameweek 26 represents a tough test for Salah and company but, looking further ahead, Gameweek 27 could yield lorry-loads of points.
Liverpool will be one of just six teams to pull double duty in Gameweek 27 and they have the luxury of back-to-back home games against relegation-bound Southampton and PSG.
Previous comments about the Parisians’ form remain pertinent but that match-up becomes more appealing when the venue shifts to Merseyside.
Barring a disaster in the French capital, Dream Team managers should aim to be well stocked with Liverpool players come Gameweek 27.
It wouldn’t be overkill to have five, six or even seven of Slot’s favourites in the ranks for that double header and Szoboszlai’s recent returns suggest he’s worthy of selection.
Who is Nicholas Prosper? Luton man who murdered family and planned school attack
NICHOLAS Prosper was just 18 when he murdered his mum and two younger siblings.
Police revealed the disturbed teen was also plotting a mass primary school shooting.
Who is Nicholas Prosper?
On September 13, 2024, Nicholas Prosper from Luton killed his mother Juliana Falcon, 48, brother Kyle Prosper, 16, and sister Giselle Prosper, 13, in their home with a shotgun.
Police swarmed the flat at around 5.30 am following “welfare concerns”.
Horrified neighbours claimed they heard “loud bangs” that sounded like shots being fired.
Officers discovered Juliana and two of her four children dead inside the flat.
Prosper was arrested shortly afterward on Bramingham Road, where police found a loaded shotgun hidden in bushes with over 30 cartridges.
Paying tribute, the victims’ family said: “Julie was a strong, loving mother to her four beautiful children, who were her absolute world.”
“In her spare time, she was a keen athlete and enjoyed raising money for charity — she was always putting others first.
“Kyle was a kind and funny young man who loved football and boxing.
“He was creative and thriving on TikTok, a big talent with massive potential. Kyle’s friends were his everything.
“Giselle was a beautiful soul and caring young girl; she liked to laugh lots and loved her family and big brothers.”
Lea Manor High School headteacher Jess Pather also paid tribute to Giselle, saying: “We are deeply shocked at Lea Manor High School by the tragic incident that occurred on Friday in our local community.
“We are devastated by the loss of our pupil, Giselle Prosper. Giselle was a beautiful soul and a model pupil.
“She excelled in all her subjects and will be sorely missed, particularly by her friends in year nine.”
This was a truly tragic and shocking case in which three innocent members of the same family have been brutally killed by their son and brother
DCI Sam Khanna
Planned school attack
During the investigation, authorities uncovered Prosper’s sick plan to carry out a mass shooting at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, which he attended as a youngster.
Thankfully he was intercepted by police before reaching the school, preventing further harm.
Prosper was charged with three counts of murder, as well as charges including illegal firearm possession, intent to endanger life and carrying a knife in public.
He appeared at Luton Crown Court on February 24, 2025, dressed in a black T-shirt and glasses, entering guilty pleas to all charges during a brief hearing.
Sentencing
As of February 25, Prosper remains in custody at HMP Peterborough and will be sentenced on March 5, 2025.
DCI Sam Khanna from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit said: “This was a truly tragic and shocking case in which three innocent members of the same family have been brutally killed by their son and brother.
“No words can fully describe the tragedy their loved ones have experienced, and our thoughts continue to be with them at this difficult time.
“We are pleased that Prosper has pleaded guilty and will not put his family through the pain of a trial, and that he will soon face a significant jail sentence.
“What was subsequently uncovered during our investigation left no doubt as to his intentions to carry out an attack at a school, but fortunately Prosper was apprehended before he could cause any further harm.”